HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_09_20 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES - SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM – 4:00 P.M.
690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY
SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
Present from D91 Board of Trustees: Present from D91 Administration:
Dave Lent, Chairman George Boland, Superintendent
Lisa Burtenshaw, Vice Chair Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary Education
Jerry Wixom, Treasurer Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Deidre Warden, Clerk Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & School Imp.
Larry Haws, Trustee Lisa Sherick, Director of Student Services
Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Camille Wood, Director of IT
Margaret Wimborne, Communications Specialists
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
The Board of Trustees met for a special board meeting pursuant to [Idaho Code, §67-2343 (2)]
Dave Lent, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.
DEBRIEF WITH MANOR NEW TECH EXECUTIVE TOUR GROUP
a.Background and Overview
Superintendent Boland provided an overview of the events leading up to where we are today. The last
legislative session produced many topics for discussion with 54 statutory changes, either amendments or
creation of new statues. One of those changes is for the one-to-one mobile computing devices for all high
school students, to be phased in starting in the fall of 2013, and more recently the State Board of
Education’s approval of two online as a graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2016. While
those decisions were being made, three of our board members attended the National School Board
Conference in San Francisco last spring and as part of that they visited Napa New Tech High School where
they have implemented a one-to-one initiative. Seeing this the board realized it was much more than just
st
integration of computing devices. New Tech is a more comprehensive model that integrates 21 Century
skills; critical thinking problem solving, collaboration, and communication, with the academic skills. The
discussions continued and this summer Superintendent Boland, Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary
Education and Todd Brown, Curriculum Coordinator attended the New Tech Network Annual Conference
to further investigate the program. Through these visits Superintendent Boland stated they’ve been able
to verify that the model is one that can be replicated and the data is available to show that it’s an
effective model in terms of increasing student achievement, graduation rate and the number of students
that not only pursue but finish a post-secondary education. He went on to say that there are many
exciting things about this model and the district sees it as an incubator, or catalyst, for the transformation
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that is needed in order to prepare our students for the world they’re entering today, and tomorrow,
rather than yesterday.
New Tech Network got its beginnings in Napa California 15 years ago and took about two years to
develop. New Tech was recognized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who later provided 6 million
dollars to replicate the model in 14 other schools. This fall 30 New Tech schools opened up across the
country bringing the total to 87. Moving forward, the process prescribed by New Tech would be to first
take a group of parents, business and community leaders on an Executive Tour, which the district did last
week in Manor Texas. If the Board decides to continue the district would submit an application, there
would be a site readiness visit by New Tech representatives and then if the application is approved the
Board would need to decide whether or not to sign a contract for a Fall 2012 opening.
Superintendent Boland thanked those who were so generous with their time and accompanied him on
the trip to Manor New Tech High School, near Austin Texas, and asked that we take time to hear their
comments about New Tech. Members of the Executive Tour group included:
Ann Howell, Director of Student Services, Idaho State University
Carrie Getty Scheid, Retired Executive Arts Counsel Director/Community Volunteer
Mitzi Ellingson, IFEA President and District 91 Teacher
Aaron Johnson, CFO, Bateman Hall
Gayleen Verdoorn, PTO President, Clair E. Gale Junior High
Cindy Smith-Putnam, Past President of Grow Idaho Falls/Senior Leadership Team, EIRMC
Rebecca Casper, Parent and Volunteer
Jared Fuhriman, Mayor, City of Idaho Falls
Jerry Hong, Financial Advisor
Melissa Hamilton, INL
Jackie Flowers, Idaho Falls Power
Damond Watkins, Melaleuca, Inc.
Larry Haws, D91 Board of Trustees
Deidre Warden, D91 Board of Trustees
Margaret Wimborne, D91 Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator
Dave Lent thanked the group for their time and invited those in attendance to share their thoughts. Ann Howell,
Carrie Getty Sheid, Mitzi Ellingson, Aaron Johnson, Gayleen Verdoorn, Cindy Smith-Putnam, Rebecca Casper,
Mayor Fuhriman, Jerry Hong, all provided comments. They spoke of a culture that was engaging, students
collaborating, teachers as facilitators, blended learning opportunities and the positive energy that was felt within
the school. Mr. Lent commented that the group has shown the same enthusiasm that he and the other board
members felt when they first observed the model.
The Board held a discussion reviewing extra-curricular opportunities, transportation, course offerings, scheduling
and technology. Lisa Burtenshaw made a motion to proceed with submitting an application for a New Tech high
school. Deidre Warden seconded.
The Superintendent reminded the Board of the depth of the decision at hand and that for the degree of change
that would be necessary to implement this there has to be a relatively high confidence that the vision of a culture
that empowers, instruction that engages and technology that enables can radiate system-wide. He stated there
are still lots of questions and several things to be addressed during the application process.
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Mr. Lent stated that this is an opportunity to build on our strengths, we have a great staff and administration and
as a board feel we have the right superintendent to make the kind of changes that we’ll need to. He went on to say
that the second part of this is minimizing our risk, this is a proven model, it’s not something we’re inventing or
thinking up as we go, but a model with a definite track record that we can look at and measure. It seems like this is
an appropriate time, a window of opportunity for us as a community, to step up and make some changes that will
be a benefit to students for perhaps generations to come as we take the lead in our district and set the pace for
the whole State and Intermountain West as well.
A vote was conducted. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Lent invited local clubs or organizations to call to schedule a time for the Board to share their presentation of
the proposed changes.
Jerry Wixom made a motion to adjourn. Larry Haws seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
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